People training for ministry have the opportunity to spend two weeks learning and developing in the UK City of Culture 2025, thanks to a scheme running in the Bradford area of the Diocese of Leeds.
In the summer of 2025, the Bradford area is hosting a two-week placement scheme for ordinands, students, and clergy.
Bradford is the sixth largest city in the UK, with the youngest population of any city in the country, and this year is being celebrated as the UK City of Culture.
It is culturally complex, with a diverse population, and a fascinating history, making it a dynamic and rich place for ministry.
This scheme will give the chance for participants from a range of different colleges and contexts to experience the breadth of ministry across Bradford, and to learn together.
The churches involved represent different geographical contexts, traditions, theology, and expressions of worship.
The scheme will also involve sessions of robust theological engagement, led by local practitioners and academics, in which participants are given space to explore issues of theology that arise in these contexts.
The Rt Revd Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford, said: “We want to invite you to come and spend a couple of weeks with us to reflect on what ministry and mission looks like in this context.
“Bradford this year is UK City of Culture, so there's loads going on in the city and district, and also there's lots of interesting, innovative and creative stuff going on in our churches.
“We'd love you to join us in a program of looking at some of these different things, reflecting on them together, praying together, and learning and sharing together.”
The Ven Andy Jolley, Archdeacon of Bradford, said: "This is great opportunity to see what creative urban mission looks like in Bradford, this year's UK's City of Culture, as well as to learn with local church leaders about the joys and challenges this kind of ministry involves."
The scheme will run from Monday, June 30 to Sunday, July 13.
To find out more, please click here.
A video about the scheme can be seen below.